Machine for filling cartridge-belts



G. C. BLICKENSDERFER, DECD. v w. 1. BLICKENSDERFER AND s. s. MAPES, EXECUTORS.

MACHlNE FOR [IL LING CARTRIDGE BELTS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 7. l9l6- Patented NOV. 16,

tsrarps e rss sic- GEORGE C. BLICKENSDERFER, OF STAMFORD, CQNNECTI T; WILLIAM J. BLICKENS- DERFER AND STEPHEN S. MAPES EKECUTORS BLICKENSDERFER, nEcEAsEn.

OF THE VI'ILL 0F SAID GEORGE G.

MACHINE FOR FILLING CARTRIDGE-BELTS.

Application filed October 7, 1916.

- machines for filling cartridge belts.

The belts involved are ordinarily two long strips of canvas or the like, transversely knit together at regular intervals to form loops, each loop being designed to receive and hold a cartridge.

In devices as heretofore known, a belt loop separator is provided which comprises two pivoted members, each carrying a needle pointing in the direction of the line of the belts travel and belt and needles are relatively moved in such manner that the needles penetrate the sides of each loop. The cartridge being forced between the needle-carrying members, separates them slightly, and the needles thus being pulled apart, normally open the loop, so that the cartridge may be pushed into place by the filling plunger. It has been found, however,

that, due to hard spots in the belt and'other causes, these needles will oftentimes fail to function, so that a loop, not being properly opened, fails to take the cartridge presented. Such a breakin the feed requires opening up the machine and setting the belt back. all of which involves delay and inconvenience. Furthermore, it often happens that the strain on the needles is so great that they break and again the machine must be opened up and partially disassembled for substitution of new needles. In an endeavor to secure proper opening of each loop in the case of new belts, many users take these belts that have not been used previously, and open each loop by means of some sharp instrument before attempting to run the belt through the filling machine. Such an operation obviously involves great delay or the necessity of additional labor. It is the object of the present invention to obviate the above mentioned and similar objections' and difficulties and to provide a belt filling machine having means for opening Specification of Letters Patent.

by a ratchet lever 14 which is of; the scalloped ratchet wheel.

Patented Nov. 16, ieao. Serial n0. 124,267.

the loops of the belt such that the operation is at all times effective regardless vof the character of ger of needle breakage is avoided.

The following specification describes, and the accompanying drawing illustrates, a belt filling machine constructed in accordance with changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from p the invention, the form herein shown being a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of the belt filling device with parts in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of F ig. 1 with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. l is an enlarged transverse sectional vlew showing the needle-carrying members;

Fig. 5 is a view in end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4; an

F 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4 showing the parts in loop opening position. I Referring to the drawing, the machine has base 7 which may be secured to a suitable table 8 or thelike by screws 9. At one end of the base 7 is a belt guide 10 in the form of a trough through which the belt feeds in a flat position. Associated with this trough is a pivoted clip 11 which is moved over to cover the belt and hold it in place. Just beyond the belt guide is a ratchet feed wheel 12 having its periphery scalloped as at 13 to conform to the shape of the cartridges. This wheel is rotated step by step pivoted to the end engages the edges The other end is forked to embrace an eccentric cam 16 mounted on an operating shaft 17 which is rotated by a suitable handle 18 and crank 19. As this cam rotates, it acts first against one branch and then the other, of the forked end of the ratchet lever'to reciprocate the same. The downward stroke of the ratchet lever rotates the ratchetwheel one step, that is to say, the distance of one scallop, while on its upward stroke, the lateral play of the lever is such as to allow it to move outwardly in sliding over the next scalloped base at 15, so that one the belt and such that the: danthis invention, it being understood that i a similar scalloped wheel 20 rotating freely .on a stud 21 carried by a hinged arm 22.

In order to hold the wheel 20 yieldably in proximity to the wheel 12, the arm 22 carries a fiat spring 23 which is held down, when the belt is in place by a latch member 24 pivoted to the base. VVhenthe loops containing cartridges, as shown in Fig. 3, are passed between the two wheels, due to the construction described,ea*ch advance step of the ratchet wheels feeds the belt forward the distance of one loop.

The invention includes means for seizing each side of' the belt loop in. a plurality of points in order to separate each loop, and in structures embodying the invention to the best advantage, these points are not all in alinement with the path of the belts travel. Although capable of various constructions, in the form shown, pivoted to a plate 25 are two needle bars 26 which are normally pressed together by the forked end of a flat'bar spring 27 which engages the slanting ends of these members. The

front of the plate 25 is grooved cent-rally, as at 28,. to receive the upturned edge of the belt guide 10 on which the plate slides. These needle bars 26 extend out beyond the plate 25, the outer ends being thickened and overlapping the end of the plate with a sliding tongue and groove connection. As appears in Fig. 4, these outer ends almost meet and the opposing edges are rabbetedas at, 29 to provide space for passage of the belt. Extending into this space, to seize the belt, as hereinafter described, are a plurali y of needles, two pair being shown in the present embodiment. The first pair of needles 30, as appears in Figs. 4 and 5, is held in grooves formed in the needle bars 26, by set screws 31 in such manner that they make a comparatively sharp angle with the plane of the belt and so that. their points. nearly meet. The needles 32 of the. second pair are held in grooves just beyond the first pair by set screws 33, but these grooves are deeper. and

formed so that these needles are at a somewhat less sharp angle to the plane of the belt. It, will be seen from Fig. 5 that the points of this second pair of needles, which also nearly meet, are ofi'set from the points of the first pair as well as being in advance thereof.

Due to, this construction, the beltv loops will be seized on each. sidev by two needles, the points. of which are not in alinement with the path of the belts travel, and, further, by needles having different angles with respect to. the belt. As a result, the belt loops are always firmly seized and effectively opened both in the case of new and used belts, and the tension is so distributed that there is no danger of needle breakage. To drive the needles into the belt, and to place the needle position to receive acartridge, the plate 25 is advanced relatively to the belt for each loop presented. To this end, the plate 25 has in its back face a vertical groove 34 for receiving the end of one arm of a bellcrank lever 35, pivoted to the base at 36, the other arm of which contacts with a cam 37 mounted on the shaft 17. For each revolution of this shaft, the cam 37 displaces the bell-crank lever to advance the plate 25, far enough to drive the needles 30 and 32 into the sides of a loop of the belt. To open the loo thus seized by the needles, the needle-carrying members are forced apart by the advance of a cartridge 38. Secured above the base is a feed chute (not shown) down which the cartridges are fed to a position on the base, as exemplified by. the cartridge shown in Fig. 1. In this position the cartridge lies alongside of a pivoted carrier 39 which is moved to swing the cartridge over to a position.

in alinement with the belt loops. This movement of the carrier is caused by the stroke of a fillin plunger 40 which has two shoulders 41' and 42 designed to engage a heel 43 on the carrier. This plunger 40 slides in a suitable groove 44 in the base and is driven by a crank 45 pinned to the cam 37 which, as before described, is retated by the operating handle. As the plunger 40 makes its 41 strikes the heel 43 and swings the carrier to push the cartridge over to the pose tion shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the cartridge pivoting against a pin 46. The plunger 40 has also a shoulder 47 and its backstroke brings this shoulder in a position to engage the rim of the cartridge. The forward stroke of the plunger, therefore, carries forward the cartridge toward the needle bars which have meanwhile. been brought into. proper alinement as before described. To receive the point of the cartrid e, the rear faces of the ends of the ne 1e bars 26 have complementary lips 48, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The point of the cartridge being advanced as just described, enters these lips and forces apart the. members 26-. Thisv action, as will be clear, seoarates the. points of the needles which penetrate the belt, as above described, and soopen the loop, and upon the further advance of the cartridge, it is partially inserted in this opened loop, as shown in Fig. 6. Just after the loop hasthus been opened, the cam 37 releasesv the. bell-crank lever 35 and it; is free to move back to its former position under the force; of a doublebar spring 49. which bears against it, as shown in Fig. 1. This same forward stroke of the bars in a.

back stroke, the shoulder At this point, the cartridge being par tially inserted in its loop, the belt-is adinto place in the loop,

of the plunger 40.

vanced one step, thus bringing the loop in question between the wheels 12 and 20, and the cartridge in alinement with the end On the next forward stroke of this plunger, it abuts against the rear end of the cartridge and drives it fully the belt being held, meanwhile, firmly but yieldably, between the two wheels. The next advance of the belt moves this filled loop out of the machine and the filled belt, as it is delivered, is received in a suitable receptacle.

To place the machine in operation, it is assumed, for the purposes of description, that the end loop of the belt contains a fully inserted cartridge and that the next loop contains a partially inserted cartridge. The first loop is placed between the two feed wheels, the spring arm being fastened down by its latch and the belt being inserted in its guide with its inner edge between the jaw members 26, the clip 11 holding the belt flat. Cartridges are fed into the chute and the driving crank 19 is turned by its handle 18. he plunger makes its backstroke and the. shoulder 41 engages the heel of the carrier to swing the next cartridge over to the dotted line position of Fig. 1. At about this time the cam 16 has come into a position to swing the ratchet lever down to ad Vance the feed wheels one step which delivers the first loop and advances the next and partially filled loop to a position between the wheels. The plunger 40 then makes its forward stroke and meanwhile the cam 3'? acts on the bell-crank lever 35 to move forward the plate'25 and the needle bars. 26, thus driving the needles into the belt. As the plunger advances, it simultaneously drives the secondcartridge fully into the belt "by the engagementof its end with the butts of the cartridge, and advances the third cartridge, by theengagement of the shoulder all with the cartridge rim, to

separate the needle bars 26, thus opening the loop, and to partially enter the loop. Toward the end of this forward stroke of the plunger, it performs a third action, namely, the return of the carrier by the-engagement of the shoulder 42 with the heel of the carrier. Meanwhile, and near the finish of this stroke, the cam 37 has released the bell-crank lever and the plate 25 with the needle bars has returned to former position, thus withdrawing the needles from the belt. This completes a cycle of the maopen the loop effectively said members.

chine and it is now inthe same condition as at the start except that the three cartridges involved have advanced a step and a fourth cartridge is in the full line position of Fig. 1 ready for a repetition of the operation described. The operation is continuous, as long as the crank is turned, nntil the belt is completely filled.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cartridge belt filling device, the

combination with a plurality of separable members between which the belt passes, of

means associated therewith for seizing each side of a belt loop in a plurality of points, thereby to open the loop effectively upon separation of said members.

2. In a cartridge belt filling device, the combination with a plurality of separable members between which the belt passes, of means associated therewith for seizing each side of a belt'loop in a plurality of points, not all of said points being in a line parallel with the path of the belts travel, thereby to upon separation of 3. In a cartridge belt filling device, the combination with a plurality of separable members between which the belt passes, of

a plurality of needles carried by each of said members for seizing each side of a belt loop in .a plurality of points, thereby to open the loop effectively upon separation of said members.

4C. In a cartridge belt filling device, the combination with a plurality of separable members between which the belt passes, of apair of complementary needles carried by said members for seizing the loops of the belt, and a second pair of complementary needles carried by said members in a different 1 plane from the plane of the first pair, also for seizing the belt loops, said needles cooperating to open the loop effectively upon separation of said members.

5. In a cartridge belt filling device, the combination with a plurality of separable members between which the belt passes,

of a pair of complementary needles carried by said members at an angle to the belt for seizing the loops thereof, and a second pair of complementary needles carried by said members at a different angle to the belt, also for seizing the loops thereof, said needles cooperating to open the loop effectively upon separation of said members.

6. In a cartridge belt filling device, a plurality of separable members between which the belt passes, a plurality of needles carried by each of said members, means for driving said needles into the sides of a belt loop, and means for separating said members, thereby to open the loop.

In a cartridge belt filling device, a plurality of separable members between which the belt passes, a plurality of needles caring said needles intothe sides of a which the belt passes,

ried by a plurality of separable members between which 7 the belt passes, a plurality of needles carried by each of said members, means for moving said members to "drive said/needles into the sides of a belt loop, and means for advancing a cartridge for insertion into the loop, said members being separated by the advance of said cartridge, thereby to open the loop.

9. In a cartridge belt filling device, apluraliti of loop seizing members foreach side a of the belt, means for causing said members to seizethe belt loops at a plurality of points not all in 'a line parallel with the path of the, belts travel and means for separating said loop seizing members'to open the loop. '10. In acartridge belt filling device, a plurality of separable members "between which the belt passes, a plurality of needles carried by each of said members, not all of said needles having the points in alineparallel with the path of ft-he belts' travel, means for driving said=needles into'the'sides of a belt loop, and means for separating said members, thereby to open 'theloop.

11. In a cartridge belt filling device, a plurality of separable members between whichthe belt passes, a pair'of complementary needles carried by said members, a second pair of complementary needles carried by said members in a'diflerent plane from the plane ofthe first pair, means for driv belt-loop, and means for separating said members, thereby to open the loop.

12. In a cartridge belt filling device, a plurality of separable members between a'pair of complementary needles carried by said member-sat an angle to the'belt, aseoond pair of complementary needles carried by said=members at a different angle to the belt-, m'eans fordriving said needles into the sides of af-belt-lo'op, and means for separating said members,

thereby to open the-loop.

V 13. Ina cartridge "belt filling'ma'chine, -a

plurality of separable members between I which the belt passes, a plurality of needles carried by each of said members, not all of said needles having their points in a line means for opening a belt loop,

plurality of loop-seizing needles side ofa loop, a-nd means for pushing a carparallel with the path of the belts travel,

means for moving said members to drive ,14. In a cartridge belt filling machine, a

gplurali'ty of separable members between which the belt passes, a pairof-complemenitary needles carried by said members at an angle to the belt, a second pair of complementary needles carried by said members at a different angle to the belt, means for movmg said members todrive said needles into the sides of a belt loop, andmeans for advancing acartridge for insertion'into a loop,

said members being separated by the ad- Vance of the cartridge, :thereby to open the loop.

15. In a cartrid e belt filling device,

-means for opening -t e loops of the belt, in-

cluding means for seizing each side of ,a.

' loop in'azplurality ofpoints, and means for push-mg. a-cartridge into theopened 'loop.

16. In a cartridge belt filling device, including a tridge into the opened loop. 7

. 17; In a cartridge belt-filling device,

, means =foropening the loops of the belt,in

cludlng means for seizing each side of a 9l loop in a pluralityof points, not all of said points being in a-line parallel with the pathofthe belts-travel,and means for pushing a cartridge into the opened loop.

18. In a cartrid e belt-filling device, 9

means for opening t e loops ofthe belt, in- V eluding a pair of complementary needles A for seizing a loop and a second pair of complementary needles ina difierent'plane from the first'pair-alsofor seizing the'loop, and 1 means for pushing a cartridge o'pened loop.

into the 19. In a cartridge belt-filling device,

=mean sfor-opening the loops of thebelt, in-

cluding a pair of complementary needles le- 1 cated at an angle to the plane of-tl're belt tor seizing a loop,and asecond pair of comf-plem'entary needles'at a difi'erent angle to I the belt-alsofor-seizing the-loop, and means for pushing a cartridge into the opened loop. 1

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE O. BLIGKENSDERFER.

for each 81 

